The use of feelings instead of facts to decide serious issues can be attributed to several factors, and it is a complex phenomenon influenced by various psychological, sociological, and cultural aspects. Here are some reasons why people may rely on feelings rather than facts in decision-making:
Emotional bias: Emotions play a significant role in shaping our perceptions and attitudes. When facing complex or emotionally charged issues, individuals may be more inclined to rely on their feelings as a way to cope with uncertainty or fear.
Cognitive shortcuts: Making decisions based on facts requires effort and cognitive resources. People often use mental shortcuts or heuristics to simplify decision-making. Relying on feelings can be a quicker and less mentally taxing way to reach conclusions, even if they are not as accurate or well-founded as fact-based decisions.
Confirmation bias: People tend to seek out information that confirms their preexisting beliefs and emotions. This confirmation bias can lead individuals to downplay or ignore facts that contradict their feelings, reinforcing their emotional decision-making process.
Subjective perception of reality: Each person's experiences, values, and background shape their worldview. Consequently, individuals may interpret facts differently based on their emotional lens, leading to varying conclusions even when presented with the same information.
Emotional appeal: Emotional messages are often more persuasive than factual ones. Communicators and media may use emotional narratives to capture attention and garner support for specific positions or causes.
Identity and social belonging: People often align their views with those of their social groups or identities to feel a sense of belonging and acceptance. This can result in emotional decision-making influenced by groupthink and peer pressure rather than objective analysis of facts.
Fear of uncertainty: Some serious issues involve ambiguous or uncertain outcomes. In such cases, feelings may act as a way to fill in the gaps and provide a sense of certainty or control, even if the feelings are not supported by concrete evidence.
Limited access to information: In some cases, individuals may not have access to reliable or comprehensive factual information. In the absence of evidence, they may rely on their emotions and intuition to guide their decisions.
It is essential to recognize the interplay between emotions and facts in decision-making and to strive for a balanced approach. While emotions can provide valuable insights and motivate action, it is crucial to combine them with critical thinking, factual evidence, and open-mindedness to make well-informed and rational decisions, especially on serious issues that have significant implications.